• Canadian GP - Qualifying

Maldonado handed reprimand after qualifying

ESPN Staff
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Pastor Maldonado has been handed a reprimand after failing to replace his steering wheel after stopping on track in qualifying.

Maldonado came to a halt at Turn 4 in Q1 with what he confirmed was a turbo issue but, after removing the steering wheel to get out of his car after parking in a slip road, he failed to put it back in his Lotus. That meant it was difficult for the stewards to remove his car in a speedy fashion.

When asked if he forgot to replace it, Maldonado simply said: "Yeah, it's like that. I didn't put the steering wheel in."

He also confirms he does not think the issue will keep him out of Sunday's race.

"There was a problem with the turbo, I had a call on the radio to stop it and I did. It is nothing very important, it's a failure in the turbo but the engine is not damaged so it's ok. It doesn't seem like a big problem."

The reprimand is his first of the season. The statement issued by the stewards read: "The stewards noted that the car was not left in a dangerous position on the track and therefore a reprimand was appropriate."

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